Airbus Secures Multi-Billion Dollar Saudi, Poland Jet Orders at Paris Air Show Amid Franco-Israeli Dispute, Boeing Withdraws

At the 2025 Paris Airshow, Airbus secured significant aircraft orders, including a potential $17 billion deal from Saudi Arabian buyers and a $3.5 billion order from Saudi leasing company AviLease for A320neo jets and A350 freighters. The event was overshadowed by a diplomatic dispute between France and Israel, with France shutting down several Israeli stands for displaying attack weapons, a move condemned by Israel's defense ministry and criticized by US officials. The diplomatic tensions, combined with the recent fatal crash of an Air India Boeing 787 and Boeing's strong sales during President Donald Trump's Middle East tour, contributed to a quieter business atmosphere. Boeing scaled back its presence, canceling key executives' trips to Paris and focusing on supporting the investigation into the Air India crash. Meanwhile, interest in defense sales remained high amid escalating conflicts in the Middle East and increased European military spending. The Paris Airshow highlighted both the challenges facing the aviation industry and Airbus's strong positioning on its home turf.